Building a Legacy to Pass Down to Generations with Krista Stauffer

If you’re inspired with building a legacy to pass down to younger generations, episode 12 is for you!

Building a legacy to pass down takes time. It takes patience, sacrifice and very hard work.

And Krista Stauffer is doing it. Nothing is holding her and her family back from building their dairy farm. After 8 years of living and working on the farm, they will finally be owners! She has a great story to tell, so here are a few high lights you’ll hear in this episode:

Building a legacy to pass down to generations.
Finding Balance in Every Day Life.
Community + Patience is the key to success.

I hope you enjoy episode 12!

FIRST OF ALL, ABOUT KRISTA

She and her husband own Stauffer Dairy in Eastern Washington State
3 Kids + One on the way
Blogger @ The Farmer’s Wifee
Photographer

AND A PIECE OF ADVICE FROM KRISTA

“We all struggle with trying to find balance.” Living a balanced life can be difficult. Just focus on the priorities.

One great example of the difficulty is from Amy Dingmann’s episode: When you find center (balance), center moves! So, balance isn’t really something you find ever because it is always moving.

HOW DOES KRISTA BALANCE FARM WORK AND KIDS?

She and her husband are a team. Also, her mother in law gave her great advice: “Never do anything on the farm that you don’t want to do for the rest of your life.”

So, her husband milks the cows and she and the kids help out everywhere else.

Read about why team work makes or breaks farmlife.

Read how to balance farm work with kids.

NEXT, LOW POINTS THROUGH HER JOURNEY

Krista went through a divorce before she met her husband. It was a hard time. She had previously quit her job to stay home with her young child.

So, there she was…unemployed and divorced. And during a recession, no less! Obviously a very low point in her life.

But then, she got a job at the feed store! And that’s where she met her husband.

AS A RESULT, SOME LESSONS LEARNED

That she’s not defined by what others do to her. Through the experience, she always thought of her daughter first.

So, she’s happy about how she handled the situation because everything she did was with her child in mind.

THEN, KRISTA DESCRIBES THE “AHA MOMENT”

Having children changed her life. No longer are the days where she focuses completely on herself. The kids depend on her and her days around them.

But she wouldn’t have it any other way.

NEXT, WHAT IS ONE THING THAT KRISTA STRUGGLES WITH?

Time is the one thing she struggles with. Not having enough time.

And prioritizing. A good thing to practice is to do the most important thing each day.

CONSEQUENTLY, WHAT IS KRISTA MOST EXCITED ABOUT?

Krista and her husband finally own their farm! It’s scary, frustrating and exciting. Now, it’s time to upgrade and change the farm that is now their’s.

Farm succession planning to the next generation farm family has begun for them!

ADVICE FOR STARTING YOUR OWN FARM

Lots of lessons learn but the big one is patience. And be willing to make sacrifice.

You have to change your way of thinking sometimes to make things happen. Be flexible.

Finally, there’s many things to learn from the older generations. Be open minded, find your mentor and be willing to let them help you.

SO, WHAT IS HOLDING KRISTA BACK FROM REACHING HER GOALS?

Krista’s ultimate goal is all about farm inheritance planning. Her goal is to continue to build a legacy to pass down to her kids. And there’s nothing holding her back from that.

BEST ADVICE EVER RECEIVED

She was raised with the mindset that she can do anything she wants if she’s willing to work hard for it.

Also, her mother always told her that “No One Defines You.” You decide the person you want to become.

FURTHERMORE, HER BEST PERSONAL HABIT

She hugs and loves on her family. That personal connection with them makes her day worth it.

And she has her husband and his family to thank for that.

GO-TO MEAL

Mostly any simple beef recipe:

Spaghetti
Lasagna
Enchiladas

Pretty much any beef and dairy recipe that is simple.

FAVORITE APP?

Krista is not an app person. She must be able to write with a calendar and pen.

THEN, BEST BOOK SHE WOULD RECOMMEND

Lysa Terkheurst (pronounced Leesa) – The Best Yes. A great book that digs into priorities.

Another great book from Lysa is called Uninvited. I’ve recently listened to the audio version during a road trip all the way through. My way of thinking about myself was whipped into shape. It’s a good one to check out as well.

AND, IF KRISTA WOKE UP TOMORROW, ACQUIRED 10 ACRES AND $1000, WHAT WOULD SHE DO?

She’d fence off the acreage to use for grazing heifers (young females that have not yet had a calf).

The money would be used to revamp the doors and windows on the milk house.

Note: The milk house does have regulations it does need to follow with the Department of Agriculture. Krista has certain rules she would have to follow before making those design decisions.

IN CONCLUSION, SOME PARTING WORDS OF WISDOM

Get the book: The Best Yes!

Focus on your family and what you want in your life.

FINALLY, CONTACT KRISTA

Instagram: The Farmer’s Wifee

Facebook: The Farmer’s Wifee

Blog: The Farmer’s Wifee

Finally, catch all the past episodes of Rural Women Inspired!

RURALITES, HONE YOUR DREAMS, OWN YOUR LIFE AND I’LL SEE YOU DOWN THE ROAD.